By Davies Iheamnachor

The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party in Rivers State has slid into deep disagreement over the purported suspension of the Federal Lawmaker representing Andoni-Opobo/Nkoro Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Awaji-Inombek Abiante, from the party by some executives of his ward.

The Executives of ward 1, Ngo Town, under the leadership of Mr Dike Bara, CTC Ward Chairman, Mr. Dokubo Jackson, CTC Secretary, and fourteen others, had on Tuesday announced the suspension of Abiante, noting that their decision to suspend Abiante came after a meeting of its executives.

They noted that their decision was that Abiante was promoting division and faction in the party, adding that he, Abiante, also belonged to a group that is anti-PDP Constitution.

The statement read: “From the Ward 1 meeting held at the ward office in Ngo town on Monday, the 29th day of April, 2024, which discussed in-depth, issues affecting the party and how to reposition and prosper the party at the ward level, the Caretaker Committee (CTC) of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ward 1- Ngo town, the leaders of the party and the stakeholders of the referenced ward unanimously adopted the following resolutions:

“That Hon. Awaji-inombek Dagomie Abiante should be and, is hereby suspended from the Party for not only promoting factions at the Ward level, but also belonging to a group under the guise of the Party: not being a group provided for in the Part’s Constitution. Which action is in breach of S. 58(1)0) of the Party’s Constitution.”

But, another Caretaker Committee of the same Ngo Town, Ward 1, Led by Hon. Owuokagakemi Lawrence, as Chairman, CTC Ward 1, and Comrade Stephen Jumbo, as Secretary, CTC, dismissed the suspension.

The body in a statement in Port Harcourt insisted that Abiante remained a valid member of the party, noting that Mr. Dike Bara and Dokubor Jackson are not members and officials of the party at any moment.

The statement read: “The attention of the Caretaker Executive Committee Members and leadership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ngo Town Ward 1, headquarters of Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State has been brought to a reckless announcement by some illegal persons claiming to be officials of the party and purportedly suspending Rep. Awaji-Inombek Dagomie Abiante, PhD, Member representing Andoni-Opobo/Nkoro Federal Constituency and Leader of the party in Andoni LGA.

“In the light of the above, we therefore, as the party recognised CTC Executive in ward 1, Ngo, state as follows: That Rep. Awaji-inombek Dagomie Abiante, PhD, is still a valid member of the Peoples Democratic Party and leader of the party in Andoni Local Government Area and call on the general public to ignore his purported suspension as they’re antics of frustrated politicians particularly in Andoni and Rivers State who are discomforted by his towering political profile.”

Vanguard News